How to Check Your SARS Tax Refund Status (2026)
SARS aims to pay refunds within 72 hours for most taxpayers. To check whether your refund has been approved and when to expect it, use any of the four methods below — no branch visit needed.
How to check your SARS refund status — 4 methods
Method 1: eFiling — the most detail
Log in to eFiling at sarsefiling.co.za for the most complete view of your refund — including the exact refund amount, payment date, and the status of your assessment.
Two ways to find your refund on eFiling:
Option A — Returns History:
- Log in to sarsefiling.co.za
- Navigate to: Returns → Returns History
- Find your ITR12 for the relevant tax year
- Click on the return to see its current status
- If a refund is due, the status will show and the ITA34 will contain the refund amount and payment date
Option B — Request your ITA34 (Notice of Assessment):
- Log in to eFiling
- Navigate to: SARS Correspondence → Request Historic IT Notices
- Click "Next"
- Select the tax year you want the assessment for
- Click "Request"
- A link to your Notice of Assessment (ITA34) will appear — open it
Method 2: SARS MobiApp
Quick and easy on your phone — useful when you're not at a computer.
- Open the SARS MobiApp
- On the Home Screen, tap "Refund Status"
- Follow the prompts
Method 3: SARS WhatsApp New for 2026
New for 2026: you can receive your Notice of Assessment (ITA34) and Statement of Account (SOA) via WhatsApp — and check your refund status without logging into eFiling at all.
- Save the SARS WhatsApp number: 0800 11 7277
- Send "Hi" or "Hello" to start the conversation
- Select "Refund Status" from the menu
- Enter your ID number, passport number, or Asylum Seeker number
- Provide your tax reference number
- Send — SARS will respond with your refund status
You can also receive your ITA34 and SOA via WhatsApp by selecting those options from the same menu.
Source: SARS — sars.gov.za/latest-news/how-to-check-your-tax-refund-status/; SARS Filing Season page (2026)Method 4: USSD — no smartphone or data needed
The USSD option works on any South African mobile network and requires no internet or smartphone.
- Dial *134*7277# on your mobile phone
- Choose Option 3
- Enter your ID number or passport number
- Hit "Send" — your refund status will display
SARS provides a visual Tax Return Status Dashboard at tools.sars.gov.za/sarsonlinequery/visualdashboard. You can view your return status for yourself, or (if you are a tax practitioner or registered representative) on behalf of a client.
Reading your ITA34 — what does it mean?
Your Notice of Assessment (ITA34) is SARS's calculation of your tax for the year. It shows whether you are owed a refund or whether you owe SARS money. Here's how to read it:
| Sign | What it means |
|---|---|
| – (minus) before the amount | SARS owes YOU — a refund is due |
| No minus sign (positive number) | YOU owe SARS — payment is required |
The ITA34 also shows:
- The refund amount (if a refund is due)
- The payment date (when SARS expects to pay the refund)
- If you owe SARS: the payment due date — pay before this date to avoid interest
The SOA shows your overall tax account balance — including any previous unpaid amounts, penalties, or interest that might offset your refund. If your ITA34 shows a refund but you have received less than expected (or nothing), check your SOA for any outstanding amounts that SARS has set off against your refund.
If your refund is less than R100, SARS does NOT pay it immediately. The amount rolls over to the next tax year, where it will offset any future tax owed or accumulate until it exceeds R100.
When will your SARS refund arrive?
72 hours9 out of 10 refunds within 72 hours
SARS aims to pay 9 out of every 10 tax refunds within 72 hours — as stated in the SARS Service Charter. This applies to refunds of more than R100.
Source: SARS — sars.gov.za/latest-news/how-to-check-your-tax-refund-status/This 72-hour target applies when:
- Your banking details registered on eFiling are correct and verified
- You have no outstanding tax returns for any registered tax type
- Your return has not been selected for verification or audit
- Your refund amount is more than R100
Refund timeline in practice:
| Stage | Typical timing |
|---|---|
| ITR12 submitted → assessed by SARS | Minutes to a few days (for standard returns) |
| Assessment approved → refund initiated | Within 72 hours if all conditions are met |
| Refund initiated → bank account credited | 1–3 business days (depends on your bank) |
| Total: straightforward return | 2–5 business days after submission |
These are SARS targets and typical experience — not guaranteed times. Complex returns, verification selections, and bank processing times can all affect the timeline.
If you agree with your SARS auto-assessment (1–12 July 2026), you do not need to do anything. Your refund should arrive within approximately 72 hours — provided your banking details are correct.
Why is your SARS refund delayed? — and what to do
Reason 1: Your banking details are incorrect or unverified
This is the most common cause of refund delays. SARS verifies your banking details before paying — if the name on the account does not exactly match your registered SARS name, or if the account cannot be verified, the refund will not be processed.
Fix: Update and verify your banking details on eFiling — see Section 6 below.
Source: SARS — Filing Season page; Service CharterReason 2: You have outstanding tax returns
SARS can withhold your refund if you have any outstanding returns for any tax type you are registered for — even if the outstanding return is not related to the refund year.
Fix: Submit all outstanding returns via eFiling. Check your My Compliance Profile (MCP) on eFiling to identify any outstanding submissions.
Reason 3: Your return has been selected for verification
SARS may select your return for verification before releasing the refund. You will receive a Request for Relevant Material (RFI) on eFiling asking for supporting documents (IRP5, medical certificates, receipts, etc.).
Fix: Upload the requested documents via eFiling as soon as possible. The refund is held until verification is complete.
Reason 4: Your return has been selected for audit
A more thorough review than verification. Your refund is held for the duration of the audit.
Fix: Cooperate with all SARS requests for information. If you have not received a response after submitting documents, contact SARS on 0800 00 7277.
Reason 5: You have an existing SARS debt
If you owe SARS money from a previous tax year, SARS will set off (apply) your refund against that debt before paying you any remainder.
Fix: Check your Statement of Account (SOA) on eFiling to see if any debt has been set off. If you dispute the debt, follow the objection process.
Reason 6: Your return is still being processed (newly submitted)
If you submitted your return recently, it may simply still be in SARS's processing queue — especially during peak Filing Season (July–October).
Fix: Wait 72 hours from assessment. If still not paid after 5 business days and all conditions are met, contact SARS on 0800 00 7277.
Source: SARS — sars.gov.za/latest-news/how-to-check-your-tax-refund-status/; SARS Service CharterHow to update your banking details on eFiling
SARS pays refunds directly into your registered and verified bank account. If your banking details are wrong or not verified, your refund will not be processed.
Steps to update:
- Log in to sarsefiling.co.za
- Navigate to: Maintain SARS Registered Details (accessible from the eFiling home page or left menu)
- Click "My Bank Accounts"
- Add or update your bank account details
- SARS will verify the account — you will receive a confirmation
- Ensure the account name matches your SARS registered name exactly
• Before Filing Season opens (June/July each year)
• If you have changed banks or accounts since your last return
• If you received a refund message but no payment arrived